The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-02-24

KnOWn Courage Vi L uDd Dill Hof LILO cAPoii-
ence and GOODNESS of Bracy Tibbetts, the
courteous express messenger, both OF whom
have since confessed to have been more than
astonishcd at the Christian and lamblike sub
mission of the insiders. Amusing stories OF
some laughable yet sickening incidents of the
occasion-such as grown men kneeling in the
road and Offering to strip themselves com
pletely if their lives We're only spared; of one
of the passengers hiding under the seat, and
only being disiodged by pulling his coat tails;
of incredible sums promised, and even offers
of mental service for the preservation OF their
wretched carcaSses-are received with the
greatest gusto; but We are i'll possession of
facts which may lead to more serious accuse
tions. Although one of the passengers is said
to have lost large sum of money intrusted
to him, while attempting with barefaced
effrontery to establish a rival carrying
business in one of the express companys own
coaches'-I call that good point" He in
terrupted himself to allow the unrestrained
applause of his own party. Don't you:"
ats just hi" said Clinch, musingly.
"'Yet the affair." resumed the stranger,
from his manuscript, is locked up in great
and suspicious mystery. The presence of
jackson n. Stanner, esq., chats mel, special
detective agent to the company, and his staff
in town, is guaranty that the mystery will
be thoroughly probed.' He'd to put that in
to please the company" he again deprecat-
ingly explained "'We are indebted to this
gentleman for the facts"
1.-THE pint you want to make In that article"
said Clinch, rising, but still directing his face
and his conversation to the fire, "ez far ez
ken see, ez that no three men kin back down
six unless they I've towards, or are willing to
lie backed down."
"Thats the point what l start FROM" re-
joined Stanner, and work up. leave it to
you eff it ain't So"
Il can't say ez agree with you," said the
colonel dryly. He turned, and still without
lifting his eyes walked toward the door of
the room which Zenobia had entered. The
key was on the inside, but Clinch gently
opened the door, removed the key, and clos
ing the door again locked it from his side.
Hale and Rawins felt their hearts beat
quicklyi the others followed Clinch's slow
movements and downcast men with amused
curiosity. After locking the other outlet
from the room and putting the keys in his
pocket, Clinch returned to the fire. For the
first time he lifted his eyes; the man nearest
him shrank back in terror.
Il am the man." he said slowly, taking de-
liberate breath between his sentences, "who
Is 20 flo 7
am one Of the three passengers you have
lampooned in that paper, and these gentle
men beside me are the other two" He stop
ped and looked around him. "Eou don't be-
lieve that three men can back down six!
Well, I'll shoW you how lG can be done.
More than that, I'll show you how one man
can do it; for, by the living God, if you
don't hand over that paper I'll kill you where
you sitl I'll give you until count ten; if
one of yo,fAnoves he and you are dead men-
but you firstIH
Before be had finished speaking Hale and
RawlinS had both risen, as if in concert, with
their weapons drawn. Hale could not tell
how or why he had done so, but he was
equally conscious, without knowing why, of
fixing his eye on one of the other party, and
that he SHOULD, in the event Of an effray. try
to kill him. He did not attempt to reason;
he only knew that he shonA do bis best to
kill that man and perhaps Others,
Zone. " said Clinch, lifting his derringer,
''two-threan-----
"Look here, colonel-I swear didn't know
it was you. Come-d-n it! I say-see
here" stammerei Stanner, with white cheeks,
not daring to glance for aid to his stupefied
party,
"Four-fipe-six"---
"Wait! Here!" He produced the paper
and threw it on the floor
"Pick it up and hand it to me. Seven
eight"-
Stanner hastily scrambled to his feet, picked
up the paper, and handed it to the colonel.
81 was only joking, colonel" he said, with
forced laugh.
''rmglad to hear it. But as this joke is ip
black and white, you wouldn't mind saying
so in the same fashion. Take that pen and
ink and write as dictate. 4 certify that I